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(No Model.) s Sheets-Shet 1.

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I V v SEWING MACHINE. No. 425,277. Patented Apr. 8, 1890.

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W. WEBER: SEWING MACHINE.

No. 425,277. Patented Apr. 8, 189-0,

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W. WEBER. SEWING MACHINE.

No. 425,277. Patented Apr. 8,1890.

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Patented Apr. 8, 1890.

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W. WEBER. SEWINGMAGHINB.

No. 425,277. Patented Apr. '8, 1890.

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Patented Apr.- 8, i890.

(No Model.)

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 7. W. WEBER.

SEWING MACHINE.

Patented Apr. 8, 1890.

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(No Model.)

W WEBER.

SEWING MACHINE.

Patented Apr. 8, 1890.

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\VIL'LIAM \VEBER, OF MAPLE\VOOD, ASSIGNOR TO OSCAR T. \VEBER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND SOPHIA C. SIMPSON, OF BOSTON, MASSA- CHUSE'ITS.

SEWING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 425,277, dated April 8, 1890.

Application filed June 25, 1888. Serial No. 278,126- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, W'ILLIAM \VEBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Maplewood, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sewing-lila-chincs, of which I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

In sewing by machine about the buttonholes of shoe-uppers and the like it is usual to clip the threads when the back end of the button-hole is reached, and then slip the goods along'to the next button-hole and be gin the sewing anew. The sewing being upon the exterior face of the work, it is undesirable to retain continuous threads and pass from one button-hole to the next, since this must cause the connecting-threads'to be laid upon the outer face of the leather or fabric, presenting an unsightly appearance, and with some machines, should such connectingthreads break, rendering the stitches liable to unravel. The free ends of the threads left upon clipping are drawn by hand in between the plies of the leather or fabric to give a finish to the work. Ordinarily the back end of the button-hole is not sewed by the needle, and such end is consequently liable to tear out after more or less use unless stayed or stopped off by supplemental stitching. My invention is designed to effect this stopping off of the buttn-holes mechanically by a continuous thread, which is stitched across the end of abutton-hole and passed to the next button-hole on the under side of the work, where it cannot be seen, and then is stitched across the end of such button-hole, and so on in succession.

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a sewing-machine embodying my improvements, parts being removed for better illustration and a portion of the m achine-bed being shown in vertical section. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section, parts being shown in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a detail face view of the cam-plate 21 on the. main driveshaft. Fig. 3 is a front view of the needle-operating mechanism within the enlarged end of the standard, showing also an end view of the subjacent mechanism and in transverse section the bed-plate. Fig. 4: is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with certain of the partsremoved. Fig. 5 is a front view of the needlebar, the needle, and the guard-plate. Fig. 6 isan inner face view of the cover of the enlarged front end of the standard. Fig. 7 is a view in horizontal cross-section on line 3 g of Fig. 3. Fig. Sis a transverse section on line was of Fig. 8. Fig. 9 is a detail front view of the cam-plate on the end of the main shaft. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the mechanism beneath the bed-plate of the machine, the bed-plate being broken away for the purpose of better illustration. Fig. 10 is a detail plan view of the clamping-barK and connected parts. Fig. 11 is an inverted plan view of the mechanism beneath the bed-plate of the machine. Fig. 12 is a front View of the lower portion of the pressenfoot, the needle and its guard, and of the mechanism beneath the front end portion of the bed-plate, parts of such mechanism being broken away for better illustration and the bed -plate being shown in section. Fig. 13 is a View in vertical section on line a; 05 of Fig. 12. Figs. 14, 16, and 18 are views similar to Fig. 12, but showing the parts in different position. Figs. 15, 17, and

19 are views similar to Fig. 13, but with the parts in different position. Fig. 20 is an enlarged sectional view through a portion of a shoe-upper, showing the stitches formed at the ends of the button-holes. Fig. 21 is a rear side view in detail of the slide-bar that operates the feed-plate and the various parts adjacent thereto, looking toward the front end of the machine. Fig. 21 is a cross-section through Fig. 21, said section being taken at a point to the right of the pinion 88. Figs. 22 and 23 are enlarged detail inner side views of the shuttle with the bottom therein and the attached parts. Fig. 2i is a similar plan view of the shuttle.

A designates the bed-plate of the machine, from which rises the hollow arm A, of suit able construction, and beneath this bed-plate A is journaled in suitable hangers a and a.

. is fixed the drive-pulley by which motion is imparted to the various parts of the machine. Upon the drive-shaft 1, beneath the arm A, is keyed the bevel-gear 2, with which engages a corresponding bevel-gear 3, that is keyed to the lower end of the vertical counter-shaft 4, this vertical counter-shaft being journaled within suitable bearings 5, affixed to the side of the arm A, and upon the upper end of this vertical shaft 4 is keyed a similar bevelgear wheel 6, that engages with the gear-Wheel 7 upon the rear end of the counter-shaft 8, that is journaled within suitable hangers '9 Q and serves to transmit motion from the vertical shaft l to the needle-bar in a manner to be presently stated. Upon the outer end of the counter-shaft 8 (see Figs. 2, 3, and L) is keyed the disk 10, provided with a crank-pin 11, that enters a cam-shaped slot 12 of a camway 13, bolted, as at 14, to the inner face of the slide-bar B, as more particularly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The disk 10, the slide-bar B, and the connected parts are sustained Within the box A at the outer end of the arm A, suitable slots a and a being formed in the upper and lower portions of this box to permit the reciprocating and vibratory motion of the slide-bar B and the parts connected thereto. Upon the outer face of the slide-bar B is formed a stud b, that enters a corresponding opening 0, formed near the upper portion of the needle-bar O and serving to unite these bars in such manner that when vertically-reciprocating motion is imparted to the slide-bar B from the disk 10 a corresponding motion will be given to the needle-bar C. The needle-bar C rests upon the face of the slide-bar B, and its lower end extends through the slot 0. of the box A and is provided with a suitable socket to receive the needle D; but upon the inner face of this needle-bar O is formed a shallow groove 0 to receive a thin guard-bar E, the lower end of which is provided with an eye, through which passes the needle D, the purpose of this guard-bar being to prevent bending or breakage of the needle. The needlebar 0 is also provided with a vertical slot 0 through which passes a headed pin 6, that is connected to the guard-bar E and serves to effect the upward movement of the guardbar as the needle-bar is operated. Upon the outer face of the needle-bar C is placed the shifting-plate F, the inner face of which is provided with a groove or channel f, (see Figs. 7 and 8,) forming a guide, within which the needle-bar works, the lower portion of this shifting-plate being provided with a perforation to receive a pin 15, that projects outwardly from the slide-block g, that is fixed, to the outer end of the shifting-bar G. This shifting-bar G is pivotally mounted upon a bolt 16, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) that rises from the under side of the arm A, and the inner end of this bar passes through a slot formed in the upper end of a rocking bar G, that is needle-bar can be varied.

pivoted, as at 17, to the bracket 18, bolted to one side of the arm A near its base. The lower end of the rocking bar G is provided with the wrist-pin g, (see dotted lines in Fig. 2,) that enters a cam-groove 20, formed in the face of a driving-disk 21, that is keyed upon the main drive-shaft 1 below the opening formed in the bed-plate A beneath the arm A. It will be observed (see Fig. 2) that the pin e, that projects from the guard-plateE through the vertical slot 0 of the needle-bar, also extends through a vertical slot f of the shiftingplate F, and upon the upper side of this pin 6 bears a spring 22, that is fastened, as at 2,3, to the inner faceplate or cover A of the box A (See Fig. 7.) Through the sides of the box A extend the set-screws 24 and 25, the positions of which will limit with exactness the extent of movement of the slide-block g and the parts connected therewith. WV'ithin the upper portion of the shifting-plate F is also formed the vertical slot f (see Figs. 2, 3, and 6,) through which passes the pivot-pin 27, that is ad justably held within the slot a, formed near the upper part of the face-plate A of the box A This pin 27 being the center about which the shifting-plate F vibrates, it is obvious that by adjusting the pivot-pin 27 the extent of vibration of the plate and of the Through the lower portionof the box A extends the rod 30 of the presser-foot 31, this rod being provided with the usual compression-spring 32 and with an adjusting-screw 33, passing through the top of the box, a suitable throw-01f lever 34 being providechwherkaby the presser-foot can be lifted. (See Figs. 3 and 6.) 1

From the construction of parts as thus far defined it will be seen that the vertically-re oi procating and laterally-vibrating movement of the needle-bar is effected in the following manner: WVhen motion is imparted to the main drive-shaft 1, it will .be transmitted through the counter-shaf ts 4 and 8 to the disk 10, and as this disk is revolved its crank-pin 11, working within the cam-shaped slot 12 of the camway 13, will impart a vertically-reciprocating movement to the slide-bar B, and since this slide-bar is connected with the needle-bar O by the stud b it is obvious that a like vertically-reciprocating movement will be given to the needle-bar to force the needle through the fabric.

The vibratory movement of the needle-bar necessary to cause the needle to pass through the fabric alternately at opposite sides of the button-hole is effected by means of the shifting-bar G, the slide-block g, and rocking bar G, the vibratory movement of these bars being caused by the cam-wheel 21 on the main shaft 1,'thc cam-groove 20 of which wheel imparts movement to the rocking bar G. As the slide-block g isconnected by the pin 15 with the shifting-plate F, it is obvious that the back-and-forth movement of this slide-block will impart a vibratory movement to the lower portion of the shifting-plate, and

consequently to the needle -bar about the pivot-pin 27. It will be readily understood that the cam-wheel 21 is keyed upon the driveshaft 1 in such position as to impart the necessary vibrations to the shifting-plate F while the needle is above and entirely free from the fabric. it

When it is desired to vary theextent of vibration of the needle-bar, so as to form a longer or shorter stitch, this canbe readily effected by shifting the position of the pivot-pin 27in the slot 0; of the face-plate A and by proper adjustment of the set-screws 24 and 25, it being understood, of course, that the adjustment of theseparts should correspond in order to secure proper relative movement. As the pin e of the guard-bar E passes through the slot 0 of the needle-bar O and through the long slot f of the shifting-plate F, and as this pin is normally pressed downward by the spring 22 upon the inner face of the plate A it is plain that the guard-bar will remain stationary during a large part of the movement of the needle-bar, but will be lifted when the needle-bar rises so high that the pin e contacts with the bottom of the'slot c and will be forced downward by the spring 22 during the descent of the needle-bar until the pin 6 contacts with the bottom of the slot f of the shifting-plate F; hence it is that the guardbarE will hold the lower portion of the needle during its initial movement through the fabric and guard against danger of its being accidentally broken or bent.

The mechanism that co-operates with the needle in the formation of the stitch will next be described.

From front to back of the machine, beneath the bed-plate at the left-hand side of the path of travel of the needle D, is formed a guide way 40, (see Figs. 2 and 10 to 19,) wherein will travel a shuttle-carrier 41, provided with the upperand lower guide-flanges 42, that rest upon the edges of the bars W and 1V, and provided with the inwardly-projecting arms 43 and 44 at its front and rear, which extend over the raceway 46, that is formed by the bars N and VVi'wherein will travel the shuttle II, that carries the bobbin of single thread wherewith the stitches are to be formed. The top of the shuttle-carrier 41 is preferably provided with a pivoted latch 47, adapted to enter a slot or notch 48 in the side of the shuttle H,-near its top, (see Figs. 10 and 12,) the purpose of this latch 47 being to contact with the vertical stud or rib 49, that rises from one side of the rear portion of the, raceway, and by forcing the rear end of the latch 47 inwardly give a sudden forward movement to the shuttle during the latter part of its travel, so as to permit the thread to pass from off the shuttle without being caught between its rear end and the back lug 44 of the shuttlecarrier, as will hereinafter more fully appear. Above the rear portion of the raceway 46 is pivoted a keeper-bar 50, that aids in serving to prevent the shuttle from rising out of the raceway, the free edge of this keeper-bar resting upon an ofiset 51 to limit its'downward movement and being prevented from rising by the usual slide or finger plate 52. The reciprocating motion of the shuttle-carrier 41 is effected by means of the link 55, (see Fig. 11,) pivoted to the underside of the carrier, as at 56, and pivotally connected with the longer arm of the rocking lever 57 by a bolt58, that passes through a slot in the end of said lever. This rocking lever 57 is pivotally sustained by a bolt 59, that depends from the under side of the bed-plate, suitable washers being interposed between the upper face of the lever 57 and the lower surface of I the bed-plate to bring the lever into proper horizontal position. The shorter arm of the lever 57 is provided with the friction ball or Wheel 60, that travels withifi a cam-groove 61, formed in the cam-wheel 62, that is fixed upon the main drive-shaft 1, the cam-groove 61 in this wheel being of such shape as to impart the necessary rocking motion to the lever 57 and the corresponding reciprocating motion to the shuttle-carrier and the shuttle.

The single thread with which the stitches are to be formed is Wound upon a suitable bobbin H (see Figs. 22 and 23) within the shuttle H, the upper face of the shuttle being provided with an eye or eyes 7b, with slots leading therefrom to permit the thread to be passed into the eyes in the usual manner, and to the upper face of the shuttle is also pivoted, as at h, a tension-plate H the bent forward end of which enters a slot 77. in the front face of the shuttle. This tension-plate H is provided with a slot h for the passage of the thread, and adjacent this tension-plate upon the top of the shuttle is pivotallyv mounted a releasing-bar 1-1 the forward end of which lies between the upper face of the shuttle and the tension-plate H while its rear end is bent first upward and then downward, and passes through an opening in the shuttle to permit the releasing-plate tobe rocked about its pivot-point 71. The tensionplateH is of spring metal, and when its forward end his forced into the seat in the end of the shuttle against the inclined surface of the pin h it will tend to bind the thread against the upper face of the shuttle, as in Fig. 22. At a certain stage, however, in the process of forming the stitch it is desirable that this tension of the thread should be released, and this is accomplished by pressure upon the rear end of the releasing-bar H which tends to lift the tension-plate away from the upper face of the shuttle, as shown in Fig. 23. In order to effect this releasing of the tension-plate automatically, I have provided at the front end of the raceway 46 front end of the raceway. The upper end of this lever is, by means of the set-screw 72, brought into proper position to contact with the rear end of the releasing-bar H causing this bar to rock downward and forcing its forward end to lift the tension-plate H and permit the thread to be drawn from off the bobbin.

Over the central portion of the raceway extends a clamping-bar K, the detailed construction of which is more fully shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings' The rear end of this bar is pivoted, as at 80, to the top of the wall of the raceway, while its front ends are provided with the arms 70 and 76, these arms being approximately parallel at their point of union to form the slot 81, and the arm 70 being provided with the fiat vertical surface adapted to bear against the side of the raceway' for a purpose to be presently stated. The arm 70 is curved backward beneath the feed-bar, as shown in Fig. 10, and has its extreme outer end provided with the downwardly-bent portion 70 (see Fig. 21,) that extends into a position to be caught by the upper end of the spring 84, that is fixed to the back face of the side barNV of the raceway, this spring extending into the path of movement of an eccentric 85, that is mounted upon the short shaft 86, so that when this eccentric is rotated by the movement of the shaft it will force the spring 84 outward or toward the raceway, thus causing the arm 70 of the clamping-bar K to move this bar outward until the arm 70 of the bar ceases to press upon the front face of the wall W of the raceway. As the purpose of the clamping-bar is to temporarily hold the thread during the backward movement of the shuttle, my object in thus providing this bar with means for moving the arm 70 outward is to enable the thread to readily pass into the slot 81 and between the arm 7c of the clampingbar and the side of the raceway, between which parts the thread will be held. The arm 70 of the clamping-bar is extended above and at one side XV of the raceway to. approximately the end .ihereof (see Fig. 10) "to prevent the thread from becoming entangled by the latch-bar 47 of the shuttle-carrier. To the rear portion of the clamping-bar K is affixed a curved spring-plate K, that bears upon the side wall of the raceway and tends to force the arm against the side wall of the raceway, so that it will catch the thread. The short rock-shaft 86 is journaled in a suitable hanger 87', (see Fig. 21,) that is bolted to the outer face of the side bar WV of the raceway, and in an offset 20 of this bar and upon this shaft are end of which is pivoted to the lower end of the rocking arm 95, the upper portion of which is pivotally sustained by the bolt 96, that projects throughthe arms of a bracket 97, bolted to the under side of the bed-plate. Upon the inner end of the pivot-pin 98, by which the links 94 and 95 are connected-together, is held a friction-roll 99, that extends into the cam-slot of the cam-wheel M,- and it will therefore be seen that from this camwheel M movement will be imparted to the segment gear-plate 90 and to the short rockshaft 86 and the looper-hooks L and L, the peculiar shape of the cam-slot 100 serving to determine the precise movement of the rockshaft. To the upper part of the segmental gear-plate 90 is connected one end of a coiled spring 101, the opposite end of this spring being attached to the link 95, (see Fig. 1,)' the purpose of this spring being to hold the gearplate with certainty during the movements of the friction-roll 99 incident to the revolutions of the cam-wheel M. Across the open space 105, that is formed in the bar 7 that I constitutes the inner side wall of the raceway 46, and between the paths of travel of the looper-hooks L and L extends the vertical guide-plate 106, (see Figs. 16 and 18,) that is formed with a groove upon its outer face, along which the needle D will pass during its descent, this guide-b'ar being preferably formed with a reduced portion 107, for a purpose to be presently stated. In the side wall of the rear plate WV is formed a groove 108, along which the needle will pass during such of its downward movement as does not occur within the guide-plate 106, and within the base of the groove 108 is mounted the retaining-block 109, that is provided with a deep seat, as shown in Fig. 18 of the drawings, to receive the'lower end of the needle and prevent the thread from accidentally slipping from the eye thereof.

This retaining-block 109 is pressed normally upward by a spring 110, that bears upon a pin projecting from the side of the block. 109, the

. upward movement of the block beinglimited by the bar 111, that serves also to retain the block within the groove 108. In the eye of the throat-plate 115 of the bed-plate are formed two eyes or openings, through which the needle will alternately pass in the formation of the stitches, these eyes or openings being 10- cated, respectively, over the guide-plate 10b and the groove 108 and being connected to-' ICC IIO

shown for convenience in receiving the thread and for carrying it forward and down-ward into the fabric to form the stitch.

From the foregoing description the operation of forming the stitches will be seen to be as follows, particular reference being had to Figs. 12 to 20 of the drawings, assuming the machine to be used forbarring the buttonholes of shoe-uppers, and assuming the upper to have been placed upon the bed-plate in the position shown by Fig. 12, and the machine to have been started: At this time the shuttle H will be at about the extreme end of its forward movement, the needle D will be at its highest point, and the single thread X, with which the stitches are to be formed, will have been caught between the arm 713 of the clamping-bar K and the side wall W of the raceway. As the main shaft 1 is now turned it will, through the medium of the shafts 4 and S, the disk 10, and the parts driven therefrom, which impartthe necessary vertical reciprocating motion to the needle-bar, cause the needle-bar to descend and pass through the shoe-upper and downward along the guideplate 106. At the same time the cam-wheel 02 has so moved the pivoted elbow-lever 57 and the link 55 as to cause the shuttlecarrier 41 to bring the shuttle to the. front of the raceway. During this downward movement of the needle and backward movement of the shuttle-carrier and shuttle the cam-wheel M, through the medium of the frictionavheel 09,the links 95 and 98, the arm 93, the segmental gear-plate 90, and cog-wheel 88, (see 1, 10, and 21,) has rocked the short shaft 86 and caused the looper-hooks L and L to pass over the thread X and draw this thread downward and backward and against the edge of the guide-plate 100 until at the reduced portion 107 of this guide-plate the thread is forced by the looper-hooks into the eye of the needle. My purpose in arrang ing the hooks L and L one in advance of the other is to cause the thread to be drawn partially around the needle, so that itv will with greater certainty enter the eye thereof. The parts will now occupy the relative position shown in Fig. 1a of the drawings, and as the main shaft continues to revolve the needlebar will be lifted and the needle will draw upward the thread X through the fabric. During this upward movement of the needlebar and needle the shuttle-carrier and shuttle will remain stationary, owing to the shape of the groove 61 of the cam-wheel 62; but during this upward movement of the needle the cam-wheel M and the parts connecting this cam-wheel with the short rock-shaft 86 have caused this shaft to rock backward in such manner as to partially lift the looper-hooks L and L, so that the needle can more readily lift the thread through the fabric. At this time, also, it will be observed that the shuttle is in such position with respect to the lever that the pressure of the upper end of this lever against the rear end of the releasingbar H will cause the front end of this releasing-bar to raise the tension-plate H and per init the thread to be drawn freely ofi. the

bobbin by the needle. The looper-hooks L and L tend, however, during the upward movement of the needle I) to release the thread; but as the needle-bar begins its descent the looper-hooks again make a slight movement downward, in order to keep sufficient tension upon the thread to prevent its slipping out of the eye of the needle. This slight second downwardmovement of the looper-hooks is due to the peculiar shape 0E the groove of the cam-wheel M and the coilspring 101, the groove being somewhat wid ened to permit the spring to rock the shaft and slightly force the looper-hooks downward, thus giving them a spring tension on the thread. About the time that the needlebar reaches the extreme of its upward move ment the cam-wheel 21 will cause the shifting-bars G and G and the block g to vibrate the needle-bar until the needle is in position to pass downward into the groove 108, at which time the parts will occupy the relative position shown in Figs. 16 and 17 of the drawings. As the needle now descends through the material being sewed and into the groove 108, the looper-hooks L and L are moved backward from the position shown in Figs. 16 and 17 to that shown in Figs. 18 and 19. In Figs. 18 and 19 the parts are shown in the position reached after the needle hascompleted its descent and has begun to move upward again. During the last part of the downward movement of the needleits point has entered the seat formed in the retaining-block 109, and to such depth that this block will cover the eye of the needle and retain the thread therein. The retainingblock will be forced downward during the extreme movement of the needle, and the spring 110 will cause the block to move upward as the needle recedes and continue to cover the eye of the needle until the point of the shuttle H has begun to enter theloop and has created sufficient tension to prevent the slipping of the thread from out of the needles eye. It is apparent that during the initial backward movement of the needle the thread will be slackened, so that the shuttle, can readily catch the loop thus formed. As the IIC drive-shaft continues to revolve, the needle will be caused to rise and the shuttle will be forced through the loop of thread,and the relative movements of the needle and shuttle are so timed that the shuttle will draw the thread from out the eye of the needle just as the pointof the shuttle has passed completely within the loop. When the shuttle H has moved so far backward that the latch-baror tle topermit the loop of thread to pass away therefrom, and as the shuttle, having passed through the loop, continues its movement it will draw the thread of the loop in close contact with the material being sewed, and will cause the portion of the thread nearest the bobbin to be caught between the arm kof the clamping-barK and the wall of the raceway, as shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings, where this portion of the thread nearest the bobbin will be temporarily retained until the shuttle has passed backward and the thread has been again caught by the looper-hooks L and L preparatory to making a second stitch. A second stitch will be made in the manner last described before the feed mechanism comes into operation; and, indeed, if desired, the cam-wheel which controls the movement of the feed can be so constructed as to allow even a greater number of stitches to be formed at each buttonhole before the feeding mechanism advances the next button-hole beneath the needle.

'In order to advance the button-holes successively into position to be barred,l.provide the feed mechanism, next to be described. This feed mechanism, which is of the fourmotion type, comprises a serrated feed-plate P,'the upper face of which is normally about flush with the surface of the top of the bedplate and beneath thepressenfoot, which coacts therewith in holding the material to be sewed. To the lower side of this feed-plate isattacheda shank 19, that extends backward fected.

and is :pivotally connected to the rear end of a shifting-plate P, by which the reciprocating movement of the feed-plate will be ef- (See Fig.21.) Aspring 19, attached, as at 120, to the face of the slidingplate P, has its upper end bent over the top of the shank p of the feed-plate P and serves to retain the fced-plate. normally flush with the top of the bed-plate, while permitting it to be forced upward, as will presently appear. The sliding plate P restsagainst the back face .of the bar 7 and is held in proper position with respect thereto by means of the strap 121,that encircles the sliding plate and the shank of the feed-plate, and by the guidebar '10, that is attached to the back of the bar From the back face of the bar 7 projects a pin 10 over which will catch the hookend of the latch 122, that is pivoted to r the sliding plate P, as at 123, and is pressed normally into engagement with the pin Q02 by means of a spring 124, the downward movement of the front end of this catchbeing limited by the pin 125, projecting from the side of thesliding plate P. From this construction it will be seen thatwhen the sliding plate is .-in its normal position, as seen in Fig. 21 of the drawings, the hook end of the latch 122 will engage with the pin 10 and hold the feed-plate against sliding until this plate has been so lifted as to'bite into the fabric. The rear portion of the latch 122 is extended upwardly and in position to be struck by a rocking arm 126, that is pivoted, as at 127, to a stud vover and engages-with the pin 10 projecting from the side of the slidesplate P, and from this rocking arm extends the crankpin 128, that passes through a perforation 1n the end of a plate 129, that is affixed to the feed drive-bar R. (See Fig. 10.) The outer end of this feed drive-barR is provided with a groove 130, (see Fig. 2,) within which is the segment-plate 142, upon which the feed drivebar will travel, this segment-plate being -moved backward and causes the arm 126 to rock the upper end of this arm will strike the under side of the shank p of thefeedplate P and will lift this plate before the slide-bar P begins to move backward. At the same time, also, in its initial rocking the bar 126 will strike the rear end of the latch 122 and lift the hooked end of .this latch out of engagement with the pin 10, so that as the feed drive-bar continues to be moved backward the slide-plate P will be free to be forced backward, and will carrywith it the feed-plate P until at the end of the backward movement of the slide-plate P the feed drive-bar will be drawn suddenly forward, as will presently appear, and in its forward motion will first rock the bar 126, so as to permit the feed-plate P to be forced by the springp, bearing on its shank, about flush with the face of the feed-table, after which the forward movement of the feed drive-bar will move forward the slide-bar P until the inclined hooked end of the latch 122 rides It will thus be seen that to the feedplate P is imparted, first, an upward movement by the rocking bar 126, then a backward movement by the slide-plate P, then a downward movement by the spring 1), and again a forward movement by the slide-plate P. The feed drive-bar R is pivoted at its rear end to abolt 140, that passes through a lug 142, projecting from the bracket a, that is bolted to the under side of the bed-plate of the machine, this bracket serving also as a bearing for the inner end of the main drive-shaft 1. in this feed drive-bar R is formed a transverse slot 0*, (see Figs. 2 and 10,) within which is the drive-pin 150, this pin being provided with an inclined slot near its upper end,

through which passes the correspondingly inclined end 3 of thefeed-gage bar S, the outer portion 8 of this gage-bar being bent downwardly and resting within the longitudinal slot 7", where it is held by means of a strap 151, screwed to the top of the feed drive-bar R. The rear end of the feed-gage bar S is provided with a slot 3 that encircles thebolt 140, and the extreme rear end of this feedgage bar is connected by a pivot-link 152 with the short end of the feed-lever 153, that is pivoted, as at 154, to a bolt depending from IIO the under side of the bed-plate. The outer end of this feed-lever 153 is slotted, as at 155, to receive a pin that connects it with the feedslide 156, one end of this slide working within a suitable hanger 157, bolted to the under side of the bed-plate, while its opposite end is connected to a set-screw T, that passes through a slot 2, formed in the bed-plate, the upper end of this screw being furnished with a thumb-nut T, by which the screw can be set at any desired position along the slot, the edges of the slot being provided with a gage to indicate the point at which the thumb-nut will be set,

To the front side of the bracket or hanger a is bolted a cam-plate V, (see Figs. 2, 3, and 9,) in the face of which are formed the grooves v and '0, which communicate with each other at a single point, as shown in Fig. 9-of the drawings. Opposite the point at which the grooves '11 and o join each other the outer groove 1: is provided with a pointed portion 11 approximately opposite to which the inner groove 1*- is provided with a pointed portion r, the purpose of which construction will presently appear. Within the grooves o and r of the cam-plate V travels the pointed tripping-block V, the stem V of which projects through a slot 160, that is formed in the crankarm 161, that is keyed to the outer end of the main drive-shaft 1, and this stem V ext-ends sufficiently beyond the crank-arm 161 to contact with the lower end of the pin 150 of the feed drivebar B when stem V is at the outer portion of the slot 160 of the crank-arm, as seen in Figs. 2, 3, and 9. By observing the peculiar shape of the grooves 1; and v of the cam-plate V, as shown in Fig. 9, it is apparent that when the main shaft 1 is rotated, carrying with it the crank-arm 161, the turning of this crank-arm will cause the trippingblock V to travel first through the inner groove n, being deflected into this groove by the pointed portions 11 and v of the camplatc, and after passing through this groove 1 the tripping-block will be caused to enter the groove r and pass once around this groove until it again reaches the position shown in Fig. 9. While the tripping-block is travelin g in the groove r of the cam-plate V, the stem V of this tripping-block will not travel in such position as to contact with the pin 150 of the feed drive-bar; but when the trippingblock passes into the groove r of the camplate the stem V of this block will move outwardly in the slot 160 of the crank-arm 161 and be in position to strike the pin. As the movement of the feed drive-bar, and consealternate revolution of the main drive-shaft,

it is obvious from what has been already seen that the feeding operation will occur only after every second stitch. It will be understood, of

course, that the position of the. canrplate V will be such that the movement of the feedplate will be properly timed with respect to the operations of the other parts of the machine. When itis desired to in crease or shorten the length of the feed in order, for example, to compensate for the different distances between the button-holes, it is only necessary to raise or lower the pin 150, so that it shall remain a longer or shorter time in contact with the stem V of the tripping-block as this stem is moved around by the turning of the crankarm 161, for it is plain that the farther the pin 150 projects into the path of the stem V the longer will these parts be kept in engagement, and consequently the greater will be the backward movement given to the feed drive-bar R. 7

By reference to Figs. 2 and 10 it will be seen that if the gage-bar S be shifted the pin 150 can readily be raised and lowered, and it is obvious that this shifting of the gage-bar S can be eifected to any desired extent through the medium of the lever 153 and feed-slide 156 when the thumb-nut T is adjusted within the slot t of the bed-plate.

Having thus described my invention, what- I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a sewing-machine, the combination,

with the needle-bar, the needle, and the main drive-shaft located above the bed of the machine, and a suitable shuttle and shuttle-carrier, and suitable mechanism for vertically reciprocating said needle-bar and needle, of a pivoted shifting-plate to which said needle-;

bar is connected, said shifting-plate being freely movable to reciprocate laterally and in the direction of the feed of the machine, and

suitable mechanism for imparting a laterallyreciprocating movement in the direction of the feed to said shifting-plate from a main drive-shaft, whereby the needle at alternate strokes descends through the bed at different points, and a suitable feed mechanism, substantially as described.

2. In a sewing-machine, the combination, with a feedrmechanism and with a verticallyreciprocating needle-bar and a needle having an open eye near its point, of a shuttle and shuttle-carrier located beneath the bed of the machine, suitable looper-hooks located be neath the bed of the machine adjacent the race and at a distance apart for forcing the thread into the eye of the needle, and means for oscillating said looper-hooks transversely to the path of the shuttle, whereby when the needle descends through the bed the looperhooks will force the thread into the open eye,

substantially as described.

3. In a sewing-machine, the combination, with a feed mechanism and with a verticallyreciprocating and laterally-vibrating needlebar and a needle having an open eye near its point, of a laterally-reciprocating shuttle and shuttle-carrier located beneath the bed of the machine, looper-hooks located beneath the bed of the machine and arranged to travel at each side of the path of the needle and transversely to the path of the shuttle for forcing the thread into the eye of the needle, and means for operating said looper-hooks, substantially as described.

4. In a sewing-machine, the combination, with a vertically-reciprocatin g needle-bar and a needle having an open eye near its point, of a shuttle and shuttle-carrier located beneath the machine-bed and looper-hooks arranged on a common axis-in different positions with respect to their centers of motion, whereby they can move one in advance of the other for forcing the thread into the eye of the needle, substantially as described.

5. In a sewing-machine, the combination, with a feed mechanism, a shuttle and shuttlecarrier, and with a needle-bar located above the bed of the machine, and a needle having an open eye near its point, of suitable oscillating looper-hooks sustained beneath the machine-bed for forcing the thread into the eye of the needle, a horizontal shaft whereon said looper hooks are mounted, and a cog-wheel and gear-plate for imparting movement to said shaft, substantially as described.

6. In a sewing-machine, the combination, with a feed mechanism, a shuttle and shuttlecarrier, and a verticall'y-reciprocating needlebar, and a needle having an open eye near its point, of separate looper-hooks for forcing the thread into said eye, a shaft whereon said looper-hooks are mounted, a suitable cogwheel and gear-plate for imparting move ment to said shaft, a cam-Wheel upon the main drive-shaft, and suitable connecting mechanism between said cam-Wheel and said gear-plate, substantially as described.

7. In a sewing-machine, the combination, with the needle-bar sustained above the ma chine-bed and with the needle having an open eye near its point, of a grooved vertical guide-plate for the needle at the side of the raceway, said guide-plate having a reduced portion, a suitable shuttle and shuttlecarrier, and suitable means for forcing the thread into the eye of the needle, comprising 'looperhooks arranged to travel at each side of the path of the needle adjacent the reduced portion of the guide, substantially as described.

8. In a sewing-machine, the combination, with the needle-bar and the needle having an open eye near its point and a reciprocating shuttle and slmttle-carrier, of a clamping-bar, substantially as shown, located at one side of the path of travel of the needle for temporarily holding the thread, and suitable looperhooks for forcing the thread into the eye of the needle, substantially as described.

9. In a sewing-machine, the combination of a throat-plate having suitable passage therein for the needle at the side of the raceway, a needle having an open eye, a vertically-reciprocating and laterally-vibrating needlebar, a shuttle and shuttle carrier, and suitable looper-hooks, and operating mechanism for forcing the thread into the eye of the needle, substantially as described.

10. In a sewing-machine, the combination, with the needle-bar having an open eye near its point, of a spring-seated retaining-block having a socket to receive the eye of the needle, substantially as described.

11. In asewing-machine, the combination of a shuttle having pivoted thereto a flexible tension-plate H a releasing-bar pivoted to the shuttle and having one end beneath the tension-plate H and a suitable stop or lever for engaging said releasing-bar to lift the flexible tension-plate, substantially as described.

12. In a sewing-machine, the combination, with a main drive-shaft, a vertically-reciprocating and laterally-vibrating needle-bar suitably connected with said main driveshaft to move at each rotation of said shaft, and a needle having an open eye near its point, of a feed and suitable means for operating said feed intermittently and after'each series of stitchesand while the needle is out of the fabric, whereby the formation of several stitches at the same time is secured before the feed of the material is effected, substantially as described.

13. In a sewing-machine, the combination, with a needle-bar and a needle having an open eye near its point and a shuttle and shuttle-carrier located beneath the bed of the machine, of a feed and mechanism, substantially as set forth, whereby said feed is operated once after several operations of the needle-bar and after the needle has dropped the thread, whereby the formation of several stitches at the same point is secured and the upper surface of the material is left free from the thread between the points of the stitches, substantially as described.

WILLIAM WEBER.

IVitnesscs: I

GEO. P. FISHER, J r., L. B. CoUPLAND. 

